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Tuesday, 31 July 2012

When they left The Sugababes, we thought that was the last we’d heard of Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhán Donaghy, but guess what – they’re back and just about to launch themselves as a band called, well, Mutya Keisha Siobhan!

Signing their contracts on Friday 13th July – we do hope that doesn’t prove ominous – the trio have reformed the original line-up of The Sugababes between 1998 and 2001.

Siobhan left band in 2001 and was was replaced by Heidi Range, Mutya left in 2005 and was replaced by Amelle Berrabah, and Keisha was kicked out of the band in 2009, and was replaced by Jade Ewen.

Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan as the Sugababes in 2000

The Sugababes were formed in 1998 by All Saints manager Ron Tom. Siobhán and Mutya had been signed as solo artists when they were aged 13, but decided to work together after performing at the same showcase. Mutya invited her best friend Keisha Buchanan to watch them recording one day, and Tom decided the three girls were to be a trio, likening their different appearances to the United Colors of Benetton campaign.

They enjoyed huge success, but over the years the line-up of the group changed, amid reports of infighting.

Controversy surrounded Keisha in particular, and while it was alleged that Siobhan left the group because she was forced out by her, the fact that she and Siobhan are now in a brand new group together would suggest that all involved have put it behind them.

In an interview with fashion website Ponystep.com some years ago, Siobhan said, “There was no doubt that I was pushed out. It was clear that there was someone in that band who never wanted me in it and that’s Keisha. She never wanted me in that band and made my life a living hell. I’ll never forgive her. Though no-one forgives that first bully in their lives, do they? No-one does.”

Then amid reports of clashes between her and Amelle, Keisha confirmed on Twitter that it was not her decision to leave the band after eleven years.

Although it was not my choice to leave, it’s time to enter a new chapter in my life. I would like to state that there were no arguments, bullying or anything of the sort that lead to this.Sometimes a breakdown in communication and lack of trust can result in many different things. I would also like to point out that I have always supported the girls and they have also supported me.

Around that time, Mutya Buena told GMTV’s Lorraine Kelly that she would love to reform the original Sugababes line-up, adding that performing again with Siobhan and Keisha would be ‘amazing’.

“Well you know, we’re all grown up,” she said. “I haven’t been with the Sugababes for so long, and you know, I’ve had my years of growing up and learning about what I want in life and getting to look after my daughter. So hooking up with the rest of the girls – I think that could be an amazing idea, definitely.”

“Personally, I just don’t think the Sugababes is the Sugababes anymore,’ she added. ‘I mean, it would be different if Keisha had stayed in it and someone else had gone – then it would be the Sugababes. But wow, I suppose now there’s no original Sugababes we should just all reform again.’Obviously the brand name of Sugababes will always carry on. But to say like there’s no original in the Sugababes, it just kind of puts it down a bit.’

The new logo

She obviously decided to put that thought into action and now the brand new band has been unveiled – looking better and more glamorous than ever. So what can we look forward to with the new band Mutya Keisha Siobhan then?

Great music, for one, as the girls always co-wrote the songs and were very successful at it, and then there’s the fun of watching to see if there is any new dramas brewing or old tensions surfacing. Plus there’s the added fun of watching the old Sugababes and new incarnation go head-to-head in the battle for fans and chart places. Somehow, our money is on the former! And then there’s the fact that nobody can be replaced in the band this time around, given that their three names are in the title!

The very best of luck to Mutya Keisha Siobhan – we’ll be dying to see them in action.

Watch Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan as the Sugababes performing Freak Like Me here

Plot mirrored real life says Ricky Norwood

EASTENDER Ricky Norwood found filming his recent on-screen break-up extra emotional — because it reminded him of his split from Sugababe Jade Ewen.

His character Arthur “Fatboy” Chubb was gutted after vice girl Whitney Dean dumped him for Tyler Moon.

And for devastated Ricky — who was hoping to marry Jade before their relationship ended last year — the emotional scenes were too close to home. He admitted: “Those scenes really choked me up. I was channelling feelings from my real-life break-up — it was like exorcising something. It was good for the soul and I was really proud of the episode when I watched it back.”

Ricky, who began dating pop star Jade in 2009, revealed last year he would propose to his “princess” but they split two months later, in September.

But in an interview with Inside Soap magazine, out today, Ricky claims he is now happier than ever after finally putting the break-up behind him. Ricky also told of his delight after being nominated for Funniest Male at this year’s Inside Soap Awards. He said: “It’s an honour and a privilege.”

Heart-throb David Witts, who plays Joey Branning, is up for Sexiest Male Actor at the awards, which will be held in London on 24 September.

The actor, whose character is dating Lucy Beale, is clearly a hit with the girls. But he revealed it’s the cougars he has to keep an eye on.

Hot talent ... David Witts and Jacqueline Jossa

inside soap magazine

David said: “Some girls are mad — they just throw themselves at you. But it’s the older women you need to watch out for. I’m constantly having to make sure no one is squeezing my bum.”

But the modest star insisted she never gets chatted up in the street — because soap fans are too busy telling her to quit boozing.

Jacqueline laughed: “People come up to me in the supermarket and tell me I should stop drinking. They’re worried about Lauren, which is nice.

“It is quite overwhelming to be nominated for Sexiest Female but now I have to try to be sexy. I’m so not sexy that it’s ridiculous. It’s a nice compliment, though. I enjoy dressing up but I always get my boyfriend Tony, who plays Tyler Moon, to help me choose.”

Jacqueline, who has been dating Tony Discipline since last year, says they are loved-up. But she admits that she loves watching relationships in trouble on TV.

Jacqueline said: “I watch all of the soaps. I think they’re really good. I’m really enjoying all the cheating that’s going on in Emmerdale.

“People can give EastEnders a hard time, but everyone still loves it.

“The show has dealt with a lot of hard storylines and always does them so well.”

Sunday, 29 July 2012

SugababeAmelle Berrabah has been flashing her Olympian abs in LA.
At 5ft 2in, she weighs 7st 10lb and wears a size 6-8.
The 28-year-old, who once compared herself to an 'anorexic rat', confessed she works out to improve her self-esteem. Now she enjoys Bikram yoga, cycling, resistance trainingAmelle went on a high-calorie diet when she became dangerously thin in 2009, amid talk of problems
in the group.
'I was below a size 0,' reveals the singer. 'Doctors advised a highly calorific diet.'
And Amelle says she loves the gym: 'I really enjoy going - you feel much better about yourself.'
Read more about celebrities and their bodies in Now magazine dated 30 July 2012 - out now!

We still haven't *quite* got over our excitement at the fact the original Sugababes line-up have reformed.

Original Sugababes Mutya Keisha and Siobhan looked SO good together en-route to the Olympics today. Copyright …And today Mutya, Keisha and Siobhanproved just HOW perfect they look back together as they headed to the Olympics Opening Ceremony.The trio,who've announced their new name as Mutya Keisha and Siobhan - or MKS for short - looked as if they'd never been apart as they posed together in London.Co-ordinating their outfits in tailored cropped trousers and silk colour pop blouses, the girls looked perfect together as they posed for the camera.The singers, who are reportedly featuring on the track for tonight's ceremony along with Blur, Oasis and Arctic Monkeys, tweeted: "Enroute to Olympics Opening Ceremony".And Keisha has already got in the spirit of things, by making sure her nails were supporting Team GB.MKS tweeted: "Keisha being patriotic" alongside this snap of Keisha's Union Jack nails.Keisha has made sure her nails are supporting Team GB ahead of the games. Copyright [Twitter/MKS]And as well as posting this group shot on their joint Twitter account, the girls made sure they each had a go at posing.Flame-haired Siobhan is snapped grinning while sipping a rather yummy looking red cocktail, dressed in a simple white tee.Siobhan grins as she sips a yummy cocktail. Copyright [Twitter/MKS]Keisha gazes sexily at the camera as she sits with one knee and one elbow up, showing off her LOVE tattoo on her left arm.Keisha looks rather sexy as she shows off her tattoo. Copyright [Twitter/MKS]And Mutya made us LOL by kicking her leg in the air, while laying back on a sofa in printed leggings and Converse.

Mutya made us LOL with her leg cocked up in the air. Copyright [Twitter/MKS]

The Sugababes originally formed back in 1998 but have gone through a significant number of line-up changes over the years and the current line-up, comprising Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen, features none of the original members.

Mutya Keisha Siobhan get fans excited with studio picture: (Picture: twitter)
"I feel like everything has gone full circle and right now I'm exactly where I'm meant to be," Keisha told Popjustice last week about forming the new band. "And I genuinely wish them the best of luck."
The girls are expected to announce more details in the coming months

The latest star to join the RPJ Band on stage is multi platinum selling artist from the Sugababes, Heidi Range.
Following in the Footsteps of previous RPJ’ers Melanie C, Rick Parfitt, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Chesney Hawkes amongst others, Heidi stepped up and wowed the crowd at a private celebrity filled party in a secret location in London.
Heidi had this to say, “I was more nervous getting up with you boys than when I was playing Wembley Arena”

Needless to say the select crowd went crazy and Heidi showed off her incredible voice singing ‘Valerie’ by Amy Winehouse and ‘Heaven’ by emily Sande.

Rick commented ” she’s as talented as she is beautiful, the band and I loved playing with her”

Another great name to join the already impressive roster of guest RPJ’ers!

The RPJ Band played for Dancing On Ice star and Britians no.1 Olympic Skier Chemmy Alcott’s OK Magazine birthday bash at The Mayfair Hotel in London.
The Star studded Party to celebrate Chemmy’s 30th birthday was a Masked Ball themed event and was attended by celebrities from stage, screen and sport. Rick Commented ” It was an honour to be asked to play for Chemmy, we helped her become a Rockstar in ITV’s Dancing on ice, and she liked it so much she asked us to play her landmark birthday!, it was great to see so many familiar faces jumping and singing along with us!”
The band played a searing set and by the end all masks were off and everyone was jumping, which is no mean feat in a ball gown!!!

3am not being as bitchy as they usually are :-) - JEF

They're back! Meet the old Sugababes. Who have a brand new name...

But they're not called the Sugababes. They're called MutyaKeishaSiobhan. Which if you say really really quickly, uh, still sounds like MutyaKeishaSiobhan

Things have changed since they were all 16. So their promo shot is in black and white. Probably to ease them all into the modern world

It's one of those things that everybody talks about, but that nobody actually believes while actually happen. Like flying skateboards and lickable wallpaper. Or Justin and Britney getting back together and wearing head-to-toe denim outfits to celebrate.
So, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we're very happy to announce to the world that the original three members of the Sugababes, Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan have officially reunited, and are going to release some new music very, very, very soon.
Once you recover from the shock announcement, we'll tell you some more.
The girls, who haven't worked together since they were teenagers, have finally got back together, under the name MutyaKeishaSiobhan. Which might not be all that catchy, but which at least means that you know who they are. And if they remember to stand in that order when photos are being taken, it'll make identifying them much easier too.
And it sounds like the girls are really excited about it all.
"Wow your support for us has been amazing!!!! We're having the best time making this record, cant wait for you to hear it #BIGGRIN :-)," tweeted Keisha this morning after the news was announced.
And she's keen to confirm that there's no bad feelings between the new-not-Sugababes and the new-still-Sugababes. "I genuinely wish them the best of luck," she said recently. "I know people are always going to say, “oh, you’ve got to say that”… To be honest with you I was very hurt and disappointed and I did feel betrayed by the whole thing."
But things are different now. They're grown ups. With facial piercings and priorities and things.
"There will be no overworking people to the point where they’re depressed," Keisha reassures her fans. "There’s none of that stuff. We all have the same intentions. You need that. I’ve always wanted to be part of something where I genuinely felt sisterhood, and I feel like I’ve definitely found that now."
"The minute we sang together, we looked at each other, and we knew. It just worked."
AWWWW.

From now on we're calling these guys HeidiAmelleJade. Just in case of any confusion

WireImage

Can we just take a moment to acknowledge what an amazing thing these girls are doing here. We're not talking about the music (because we haven't heard it yet) and we're not talking about the whole getting-back-together-for-the-first-time-since-they-were-16 thing either. Because that stopped being impressive as soon as Facebook kicked off seven years ago.
But they're finally, finally going to thrust the name "Siobhan" back into the spotlight. And by doing so, help the thousands of hundreds of people around the world, who still insist upon pronouncing it See-ob-han. Rather that Shiv-vawn. Which is how it's meant to sound.
That's unless they get bored of all the syllables and just abbreviate it all to MKS. Which is what we'd do

Friday, 20 July 2012

Nice slant on the Mutya Keisha Siobhan story by Shaun Kitchener , where he digs up old Jade Ewen Interview from the Scottish Fashion Awards , but he does have some great photos of the Sugababes in Rubber / PVC :-) JEF

Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan of, erm, Mutya Keisha Siobhan may have to face their Sugababes successors Amelle, Jade and Heidi in a future chart battle.
Although the current line-up of the long-running, ever-changing trio are believed to be without a record deal, Jade Ewen said recently that they are still working on new material in addition to their solo projects.
The one-time Eurovision entrant, drafted in to replace Keisha Buchanan when she was axed in 2009, told STV: "We’re all working on individual projects as well as the band so it’s kind of like the workload has doubled, but it’s good.
"It’s nice to be busy, you don’t want to be sitting around athome. It’s all positive.”
She continued: "We have been working on Sugababes material, nothing has been finalised in terms of the album, so we’ll just keeping going.
"There are always songs being pitched at the last minute so it’s one of those things, you cherry-pick them and one week before the deadline you go ‘OK, there it is!’."
Earlier today it was reported that Buchanan had wished the band "the best of luck".

This time last week, we met up with Mutya Keisha Siobhan – for that is the name the Origibabes/Propababes/Whatevababes will be going under – for a chat.

Two points before we go any further.

First: the music sounds really good. We’re still not allowed to say very much about it, but it’s officially ‘not shit’.

Second: before we met up with them we were a bit worried that the whole experience would be quite seriousface and awkward but as soon as you sit in a room with the three of them you can tell it’s all fine. There is lots of laughter and fun and stuff like that.

Our interview with the girls is their first as a band since 2001, and we’ll be putting the full text online soon. For the time being here are five things we learned from the chat, with some supporting quotes so you know we didn’t make the whole thing up.

POINT ONE: YOU SHOULDN’T READ ANYTHING INTO THE ORDER OF THEIR NAMES IN ‘MUTYA KEISHA SIOBHAN’ BECAUSE IT BASICALLY JUST SOUNDS GOOD

Siobhan: People seem to say it in that order quite naturally. It seems to roll off the tongue like that.Keisha: Mutya, can I just say something? I found a link the other day which I really want to show you. It’s a clip of you when you’re 16 and they ask you why we came up with the name ‘Sugababes’. And you go: “Well we had to have a band name because we couldn’t have people just calling us Mutya, Keisha, Siobhan.” (Everyone laughs)Amazing! It’s so cute. It’s when you were innocent.Mutya: I’m still innocent!

POINT TWO: KEISHA IS FINE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE SUGABABES THANKS VERY MUCH ALTHOUGH THE DETAILS ARE A BIT LONG-WINDED

Keisha: Have you got an hour? (Much chortling) Basically, I can’t say too much about it – legally I’ve been told I can’t speak about it. But what I will say is that when everyone else found out I wasn’t in the group is pretty much when I found out. I will say that we had a great relationship, me and the girls; I’ve never had an argument with Amelle in my life. I was really shocked by the things that they were saying because I’d always been there for them, and they were there for me as well… But, you move on, and you learn, and I learned valuable life lessons during that period… I feel like everything has gone full circle and right now I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. And I genuinely wish them the best of luck. I know people are always going to say, “oh, you’ve got to say that”… To be honest with you I was very hurt and disappointed and I did feel betrayed by the whole thing. But I feel like when you don’t forgive people and when you’re very bitter it’s not really doing anything for you. But I’m in a great place, and that’s all I care about. Onwards and upwards.

POINT THREE: THEY’VE TALKED ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SOMEONE LEFT THE BAND AGAIN

Siobhan: Then that would be the end of that.Keisha: We’ve had discussions. We have a way of working: we trust each other. We look after each other. We are genuinely there for each other. If we were unhappy we’d tell each other and we’d figure it out, between ourselves.Siobhan: Everything is a group decision this time round.Keisha: There will be no overworking people to the point where they’re depressed. There’s none of that stuff. We all have the same intentions. You need that. I’ve always wanted to be part of something where I genuinely felt sisterhood, and I feel like I’ve definitely found that now.Mutya: Well thank you very much.

POINT FOUR: THIS WHOLE REUNION THING ALMOST HAPPENED IN 2009 (BUT DIDN’T)

Keisha: Well, back in 2009 I was contacted by the girls through my lawyer, and they were kind of like, ‘do you want to meet up?’. We all met up. I’d only been out of the band for three months and I’d just had enough of girlbands. I’d had enough of the WHOLE THING… Anyway, basically, they contacted me and we sat together and I actually really wanted to see the girls. Me meeting up with them was more about me wanting to see them than actually thinking about getting the band back together. Because like I say it was only three months after I’d left the Sugababes. So we decided not to do it. And then last year, in 2011, we were contacted by a producer. He put it to us: he said, “let’s record a few tracks and then see”. And we did. And we loved it.Siobhan: He actually called me which was weird because I’d never worked with him before… And I said I’d only do it if it was with the other girls. (Firmly) I didn’t want to do another project on my own.Keisha: We basically said, “yes, but we want to do it on our own terms”.Siobhan: We didn’t want anyone to organise it for us. We wanted to steer the ship ourselves, which is what we did.

POINT FIVE: THE MOMENT WHEN THEY ALL SANG TOGETHER AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME WAS QUITE SPECIAL, AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT

Siobhan: The first time we sang in a room together and worked out our harmonies and sang them together was recording a song called ‘Too In Love’.Keisha: It was the first time we’d sang together since we were 16 years old. To be honest with you it wasn’t an instant thing. When we were younger we gelled straight away, but we had to learn to blend with each other again.Mutya: It’s been a while!Keisha: Yes. It was when we came to do another song, ‘Love Me Hard’ – that’s when I first properly heard us blending.Siobhan: That’s when we knew that we properly had to get back together. You never know if that magic is still going to be there. If it’s not going to be as magical as the first time around you don’t really want to do it, do you. The minute we sang together, we looked at each other, and we knew. It just worked.Mutya: It was emotional.Keisha: It was so special to be excited about hearing our voices together, and being excited about our music. On my days off I’d go home and I’d listen to the tracks. I’d be like, ‘I’m really enjoying this’. I just enjoyed our music.Mutya: We’ve got some really good songs.Siobhan: For me, it’s the first time in years that I’ve been excited about evenattempting a music project. I’m super-excited.

IN SUMMARY

1. It’s the Sugababes but don’t call them the Sugababes.2. They’re excited.3. We’re excited.4. You’ll hear some music soon.5. Amazing.

About Me

Followers

The Jade Ewen Story so far...

Jade Almarie Louise Ewen (born 24 January 1988) is an English singer, songwriter, actress and member of the Sugababes. Ewen began her singing career in the girl group Trinity Stone signed to Sony BMG in 2005, but they disbanded in 2007 with no album released. In 2009, she represented the UK at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest performing the Andrew Lloyd Webber / Diane Warren penned "It's My Time" after winning the UK national selection. She achieved 5th place, cementing her as the most successful British Eurovision act since 2002. She replaced Keisha Buchanan in the Sugababes in September 2009, while at the time still signed to Polydor Records.

Ewen was born and brought up in Plaistow, London, to a Jamaican mother, Carol and a Scottish-Sicilian father, Trevor. Trevor is blind and partially deaf, while Carol is partially blind. Ewen was a carer to both her parents and two younger siblings, Shereen and Kiel.She received a scholarship to the Sylvia Young Theatre School. As a student at Sylvia, she appeared in The Bill, Casualty and Mr. Harvey Lights a Candle.Ewen also won the part of Nala in The Lion King at the West End at the age of twelve. Ewen appeared in the children's dance DVD, entitled How To Dance. She also featured briefly in the video for pop rock band Busted's "What I Go to School For".

Between 2003 and 2004 she appeared in the Australian series Out There. In 2005, Ewen became a member of the girl group Trinity Stone which was signed to Sony BMG. The group disbanded in 2007. She later recorded with rapper Kwamé, who was impressed with her work on MySpace. She released a digital single, "Got You" in 2008 under Kwame's Make Noise label. Ewen co-wrote the song "A Little Bit" for the girl group Booty Luv and also "Let Me Be Me" for Jessica Mauboy. In early 2009, Ewen acted in the first episode of the series, Myths.

In January 2009, Ewen was approached and participated in the UK national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. She was eventually selected to represent the UK with the song "It's My Time" composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber who accompanied her on piano onstage. Ewen was signed with Polydor Records in February and began working on her debut album. In May Ewen finished in fifth place, the highest placing for the United Kingdom since 2002.

In September 2009, it was announced that Ewen had joined the Sugababes as the replacement for Keisha Buchanan.While her second single, "My Man" had been released in the same week, promotional activities for the single were cancelled. Although the single still managed to reach #35 in the charts. In an interview with the BBC, Ewen confirmed her commitment to the Sugababes as her main priority and that her solo album was put on hold. "About a Girl" later debuted at number eight in the UK. Sweet 7 was released in early 2010 after multiple delays from late 2009, and charted at #14 on the UK albums chart. In late 2010 Jade was revealed as the new face of Miss Ultimo lingerie, modelling the lingerie fashion lines Autumn/Winter collection for 2010.

A Brief History of The Sugababes

Sugababes are an English pop girl group based in London, consisting of members Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen. The Guinness Book of World Records have named the Sugababes as the most successful female act of the 21st century with six UK number one singles and eighteen UK top ten hits.

Sugababes were formed in 1998 by founding members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. In 2001, after just one album and some initial success, Donaghy departed and the introduction of Range in the same year was met with the commercial success. The group survived a second line-up change in December 2005, when Buena left the band and was subsequently replaced by Berrabah. In September 2009, it was confirmed that after eleven years in the band, Buchanan was no longer part of the group and had been replaced by Jade Ewen.